Swimming device



March 21, 1961 R. MAGONE 2,975,438

SWIMMING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

ROSCOE MAGONE INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

March 21, 1961 R. MAGONE SWIMMING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed June 24, 1957 IZJ FIG. 7

FIG. 6

ROSCOE MAGONE IN V EN TOR.

FIG. 8

ATTORNEY.

SWIMMING DEVICE Roscoe Magone, P.(). Box 2553, Portland, Oreg. Filed June 24, 1957, Ser. No. 667,419 12 Claims. (Cl. 9-307) My device relates to a mechanical means applied to the arms of a swimmer to aid and increase the eificiency of swimming. It is particularly effective in this regard for those who have suffered a loss of portions of one or more limbs. My present invention is an improvement over my co-pending patent for Swimming Devices, Serial No. 303,291, filed August 8, 1952, now Patent No. 2,802,- 223, although it incorporates the same general principle of propulsion in the fins.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a means by which one can increase his effectiveness in swimming.

Another object is to provide a swimming device which will enhance the swimming eifectiveness of many amputees.

Still another object is to provide a swimming device having few attachment means which will enable a swimmer to freely use his hands and feet.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mechanical means that will increase the ease with which one may swim.

Other and further objects of my invention will be apparent from the drawings, specification and claims herein set forth.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation view of a swimmer with my swimming device attached to each arm. 7

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the right side component of my swimming device.

Fig. 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scaletaken in the direction of the arrows along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken in the direction of the arrows along line 44 of Fig. 2.

"Fig. 5 is another sectional view on an enlarged scale taken in the direction of the arrows along line 5-5 of "Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of the right side component of the swimming device.

. Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of the left side component of the swimming device.

Fig. 8 is a three dimensional, fragmentary view showing a typical right side fin, broken away from the rest of the device, and illustrating the manner in which the fins oscillate during use.

Referring further to the drawings:

The right component 10 of my swimming device and the left component 10' are identical with the exception of being reversed to each other, so thatthey will impart motion uniformly to the swimmer in the same direction. In all other respects the right and left components are exactly the same, and the description hereinafter set forth will use the same members to refer to the corresponding elements of the two components.

The components It) and 10' of my swimming device consist of a base 11 which is so shaped that the arms of the user will be held in a position to form an acute angle between the forearms and their respective upper arms and to cause the forearms to be disposed approximately 17 /2 rates Patent 0 Patented Mar. 21, 1961 toward the body from planes parallel to the sides of the body and through the respective upper arms. As shown in Fig. 1, this causes the clenched hands of the forearms to practically meet in front of the chest and the forearms to lie against the chest when the fins 22 are in the neutral position. Thus, planes through the fins 22 from the center of their leading edges 23 through the center of their trailing edges 24 will be perpendicular to a plane through the width of the swimmers body.

The angular relationship of the fins 22 to the base 11 will cause the fins 22 to be substantially parallel to the surface of the water when a swimmer is in a prone position with his face down, with his upper arms extended laterally at a comfortable angle approaching the horizontal and with his forearms disposed near his head. The base 11 is rigid enough to retain the desired relationship between the various elements of the device, but it is also flexible enough to allow positioning on the arm of a swimmer.

Each base 11 consists of an upper marginal end 12, adjustable upper arm band 13, forearm marginal end 14, adjustable forearm band 15, a plurality of snap fasteners, or other suitable fastening means 16, an inner pocket 17, lower lateral edge 18 and upper lateral edge 19. The upper arm bands 13 are comparatively wide in relation to the forearm bands 15. The upper arm band 13 is detachably fastened to each side of the base by a plurality of snap fasteners 16, and, also, the forearm band 15 is detachably fastened to each side of the base 11 by a snap fastener 16' on each side thereof. The arm bands 13 and 15 are preferably made from sheet stock of some elastic type material such as rubber. The edges 12 and 14 of the base 11 are shaped to form a portion of a circle, respectively, so that the lateral edges 18 and 19 retain a spaced relation to each other of less than the diameter of the circles forming the marginal ends 12 and 14; The inner surface 17 of the base 11 is formed to conform generally to the contours of the outer surfaces thereof with the exception of the curved portion 28 projecting slightly into the transitional root element 21 to help create a suction between the base 11 and the arm of a swimmer positioned therein.

The transitional root 21 is positioned on the lower portion of the surface 20 of the base 11. It is positioned to be central of the width of the base 11 and of the arm of the swimmer and substantially an extension of the humerus bone of the upper arm. The transitional root 21 A point of the surfaces at is practically circular in cross-section, its trailing edge portion 24' being slanted otf to a shape somewhat flatter than the semi-circular shape of its leading edge 23'. The transitional root 21 is rather short and may vary somewhat in longitudinal length as dictated by the particular shape of a fin 22. The transitional root 21 secures the fin-22 to the-base. 11, and its leading edge 23' merges smoothly with the leading edge 23 of the fin 22. The fin is preferably positioned at an angle of about 25 rearwardly from the'trailing edge 27 of the base 11 and will never be positioned at an angle forwardly of the trailing edge 27, see Fig. 2.

The fin 22 incorporates a leading edge 23, a trailing edge 24 and a tip portion 25. The fin 22, like the base 11, is preferably formed by a molding process from rubber or other suitable material having somewhat similar characteristics. It tapers in transverse width from its transitional root end to the tip end and presents a curved outer margin when viewed from its top or bottom surfaces. As shown by Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the fin 22 becomes thinner as it progresses toward the tip 25. In cross section the fin 22 23 and preferably tapers straight back uniformly therefrom on both' the upper and lower surfaces to the juncture has a semi-circular leading edge the trailing edge 24. This are rangement forms in cross section an isosceles triangle with the upper and lower surfaces being the equal legs thereof and the diameter of the leading edge 23 at the point of intersecting the equal upper and lower surfaces being the base.

The fins 22, having thick leading edges relativeto the rest of the body of the fin and being so disposed on the base ll that their leading edges will never be forward of anextension of the humerus bone of the upper arm, are essentially unbalanced in their reactions to pressure on either surface thereof and are flexibly oscillatory at their tip and trailing edge portions with respect to their transitional root portions 21 and base 11. Each forearm is retained at the approximate desired angle with respect to the upper arm by the shape of the base 11. A swimmer brings his forearms and elbows downwardly and inwardly under himself and then upwardly and outwardly to a substantial horizontal position relative to the surface of the water in smooth, continuous dipping and rolling motions. These movements cause each fin 22 to form a sinusoid, or modified corkscrew-like, pattern, the right and left elements forming patterns which are reversed to each other with respect to rotational movement. The structures of the fins 22, being unbalanced with respect to their relationships to, and movements about, their respective horizontal pivotal axes, formed by the outward longitudinal extensions of the humerus bones of the respective upper arms positioned in the bases 11, tend in both upward and downward strokes to assume an angle which will follow the path of least resistance through the water. The fins 22 in movement flexibly oscillate alternately up and down with the relation to the transitional root 21 in coordination with the rotation and movement of the arm to which the particular component is secured by adjustable upper arm band 13 and forearm band 15. The swimmers resistance or control of the tendency of the fins 22 to follow the path of least resistance is what enables him to obtain and regulate the impelling force imparted by the fins. A continuation of this operational cycle in combination with controlled resistance to the unbalanced tendency of the fins enables a swimmer to travel through the water rapidly and with comparatively little effort. Downward strokes of the fins, due to the flexibility of the major portion of the fin body in combination with the semi-rigid leading edge, cause them to bend upwardly at their trailing'and tip portions, so that the left fin forms a left-hand propeller and the right fin forms a righthand propeller, On the upward stroke each fin forms a propeller reversed to that which it formed on the downward stroke. The reactionary force of the displaced water against the flexible rear and tip portions of the fins, first on the lower and then on the upper surface, causes the propeller-like effect in the fins. The continuous actions of bringing the elbows downwardly toward each other under the swimmer and raising them upwardly and outwardly to an approximate horizontal position at the sides, of the swimmer causes each fin to exert uninterrupted propelling forces upon the swimmer. During the downward strokes the water reacts against theupwardly tilting undersurfaces of the trailing and tip portions of the fins; during the upward stroke the water reacts against the downwardly tilted upper surfaces of the trailing and tip portions. V

A swimmer in using my device merely fits his flexed arm snugly into the inner surface 17 of the base 11, working out as much air as possible from the inner surface 17 and the pocket 28, and then snaps the arm bands 13 and 15 into position over his arm by means of the most satisfactory combinationof detachable fastening means 16-16 on the base 11 and arm bands-13 and 15. The suction created between the arm and the base issupplemental only to the main fastening means effected through the upp'erarm bands and the lower arm bands. Water seeping in between the arm and the base element during use and deliberate straightening-movements of the 75 adapted to receive,

arm at the elbow have a tendency to tighten the suctional grip between the base 11 and the arm without disturbing the general relationship of the swimming device as the arm is unflexed and reflexed to the predetermined position established by the shape of the base. A swimmer, therefore, not only has a great degree of freedom in his arm movements when using my device, but he is also consciously aware of the secure fit of the device upon his arms.

Either component of my device may be used alone, if so desired, and, while every individual will have different swimming styles, each will soon find the one which is most eflicient for him when using my device. Furthermore, with a little experimentation a swimmer will learn how to effectively tread water or move forwardly or rearwardly at will.

The disclosures herein set forth are preferred embodiments only;- and I am not to be understood as limiting myself to these particular disclosures, for many variations therefrom are feasible without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A swimming device consisting of a base having an upper marginal end and a front end disposed at an angular relationship to each other, said base being formed with a recess open at said ends and shaped to conform to the bent elbow of the arm of a wearer and adapted to fasten upon the arm of a wearer and to retain the forearm in a predetermined angular position to the upper arm, adjustable means detachably connected to said base and adapted to secure the base to the arm of a wearer, a transitional root integral with the base and disposed at an angular relationship thereto, and a fin integral with the transitional root extending from the end thereof opposite the base, tapering longitudinally and transversely to form a semi-rigid leading edge portion and a fiexible tip and trailing edge portions, and being adapted to flexibly oscillate both transversely and longitudinally to impart a propelling thrust.

2. A swimming device consisting of a base'having an upper marginal end and a front end disposed at an angular relationship to each other, said base being formed with a recess openat said ends, shaped to conform to the bent elbow of the arm of a wearer and adapted to fasten upon the arm of a wearer and to retain the forearm. in a pre determined angular position to the upper arm, adjustable means detachably connected to said base and adapted to secure said base to the arm of a swimmer, and a fin integral with said base and disposed at an angular relationship thereto, said fin tapering longitudinally and transversely to form a semi-rigid leading edge portion and a flexible tip and trailing edge portions, and being adapted to flexibly oscillate both transversely and longitudinally to impart a propelling thrust.

3. A swimming device consisting of a base having an upper marginal end and a front end disposed at an angular relationship to each other, said base being formed with a recess open at said ends, shaped to conform to the bent elbow of the arm of a wearer and adapted to fasten uponthe arm of a wearer and to retain the forearm in a predetermined angular position to the upper arm, adjustable means on said base, securing said base to the arm of a swimmer, and a fin integral with said base and disposed at an angularrelationship thereto, said fin tapering longitudinally and transversely to form a semi-rigid leading edge portion and a flexible tip and trailing edge portions, and being adapted to flexibly oscillate both transversely and longitudinally to impart a propelling thrust.

4. A swimming device consisting of a base having a partially circular upper marginal edge and a partially circularfront marginal edge, said edges being disposed at an angular relationship to each other, said base being formed with a recess open at said edges and shaped to conform. to the bent elbow of the arm of a swimmer and,

suctionally grip, and dispose the forearm of a swimmer at an angular position relative to his I upper arm and said base having a plurality of groups of fasteners positioned on each of its sides near its said upper marginal edge and a single fastener positioned on each of its sides near its said front marginal edge; an adjustable upper arm band detachably connected to said base and having positioned at each of its ends a plurality of groups of fasteners adapted to cooperate with said fasteners positioned near said upper marginal edge of said base; an adjustable forearm band detachably connected to said base and having positioned at each of its ends a plurality of single fasteners adapted to cooperate with said fasteners positioned near said front marginal edge of said base; a transitional root element integral with said base and positioned substantially centrally of the curvature of said base between the upper marginal and front marginal edges thereof and at an angular relationship thereto; and a fin element integral with the transitional root element, extending from the end thereof opposite said base, said fin element consisting of a leading edge convergently tapering longitudinally toward the outer tip end and of an upper and lower surface, each of said surfaces converging rearwardly toward each other from said leading edge to form a thin, flexible tip and trailing edge portion, and said fin element being adapted to flexibly oscillate both transversely and longitudinally relative to the transitional root element to impart a propelling thrust.

5. A swimming device consisting of a base element having a partially circular upper marginal end and a partially circular front marginal end, said ends being disposed at an angular relationship to each other, and said base element being adapted to receive, retain and dispose the forearm of a swimmer at an acute, angular position to the upper arm; an upper arm band and a forearm band; fasteners detachably and adjustably securing each end of said upper arm band and of said forearm band to said base element; a transitional root, having a semi-circular leading edge portion and tapered trailing edge portion, integral with said base element and positioned between the upper marginal and forearm marginal ends of said base element at an angular relationship to said base; and a fin integral with said transitional root and extending from the end thereof opposite the base element, said fin consisting of a semi-circular leading edge convergently tapering toward the outer tip and consisting of upper and lower surfaces, said surfaces convergently tapering toward said tip and said surfaces also convergently tapering rearwardly from said leading edge to form a trailing edge, said fin being adapted to flexibly oscillate both transversely and longitudinally relative to its transitional root to impart a propelling thrust.

6. A swimming device consisting of a base having an upper end and a front end disposed at an angular relationship to each other and having therein a recess open at said ends formed to conform to the bent elbow of the arm of a swimmer, to receive and retain therein the arm of a swimmer and to retain the forearm of a swimmer in an angular position to the upper arm, and of a fin, fixed to said base, having a semi-rigid leading edge and flexible tip and trailing edge portions and being disposed at an angular relationship to said base, said fin adapted to impart a propelling thrust through flexible, transverse and longitudinal oscillation.

7. A swimming device consisting of a hollow, openended means extending from a point medially of the shoulder and elbow to a point medially of the elbow and wrist of the arm of a swimmer disposed therein and formed to a shape to receive and to be secured detachably upon the arm of a swimmer at the elbow; and of a fin, fixedly positioned upon said means at an angular relationship thereto and to have its leading edge disposed rearwardly of an extension of the axis line of the humerus bone of the arm of a swimmer disposed in said hollow means, consisting of a semi-rigid leading edge and flexible outer tip and flexible trailing edge portions, said fin imparting a propelling thrust through flexible, transverse and longitudinal oscillation relative to said hollow means.

8. A swimming device consisting of a hollow, openended base extending from a point medially of the shoulder and elbow to a point medially of the elbow and wrist of the arm of a swimmer disposed therein and formed to conform to, to receive and to be secured removably to the bent arm of a swimmer at the elbow; of transitional means secured to said hollow base; and of a fin, fixedly positioned on said transitional means, consisting of a semi-rigid leading edge and flexible tip and trailing edge portions, said fin positioned to have its leading edge disposed rearwardly of an extension of the axis line of the humerus bone of the arm of a swimmer disposed in said hollow base.

9. A swimming device of the character described in claim 4, having a slight pocket positioned in the inner surface of said base and extended slightly into said transitional root, adapted to increase the suctional grip between said base and the arm of a swimmer disposed therein.

10. A swimming device of the character described in claim 1, having a slight pocket disposed in said base and extended slightly into said transitional root, adapted to increase the suctional grip between said base and the arm of the wearer disposed therein.

11. A swimming device of the character described in claim 5, having a slight pocket disposed in said base element and extended slightly into said transitional root, adapted to increase the suctional grip between said base element and the arm of the swimmer disposed therein.

12. A swimming device of the character described in claim 8, having a slight pocket disposed in said base and extended slightly into said transitional means, adapted to increase the suctional grip between said base and the arm of a swimmer secured therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,535,481 Kjelgaard Apr. 28, 1925 1,839,489 Meroussis Jan. 5, 1932 2,423,571 Wilen July 8, 1947 2,692,995 La Bihan Nov. 2, 1954 2,802,223 Magone Aug. 13, 1957 

